MM511679****The hotel is a five-minute drive from Forio Port and the hotel will pick up and drop off for free. The facilities here are perfect, not only with a great view of the sea, but also free swimming pool and natural hot springs, as well as laundry, SPA and other paid services. We booked a sea view room with a terrace with a perfect view of the sunset at sea. You can also not book a sea view room because there is enough space for the public terrace to use. The style, taste and price of the hotel restaurant are also good, can fully meet the demand, our breakfast and dinner are eaten in the restaurant.
Ischia Island is a volcanic island 50 minutes by boat from downtown Naples. Bus, taxis, car rentals, hotels, hot springs, beaches, botanical gardens, everything. The tourists are mainly Germans, British, and Italian locals. Although the island is fully developed, it is not popular in China. We stayed for two days during the National Day and did not meet a Chinese. We met tourists from Israel, the Czech Republic, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, many people have lived on the island for more than a week, everyone here is not to check in to popular attractions, but to relax and rest. We chatted with them and with the islanders, but unfortunately we didn't have time to live longer.
The biggest surprise came from the boss Giampaolo, who was very enthusiastic about everyone and especially enthusiastic about us, who said we were the first Chinese he had seen in a long time and hoped more Chinese would come here to play. We talked to us for more than half an hour at check-in, told us about his experience of being invited to visit China by Dengfeng City officials and photos and videos at the time, and about his interest in Shaolin Temple, folk songs and other Chinese culture. He showed us the room, the hot springs, and detailed introductions to the island's attractions, transportation, restaurants, etc.
Giampaolo tells us how his family owned the land from the 15th century onwards and how it has changed all the way to running a hotel today. He also told us about his grandparents, parents and siblings, sharing his understanding of family, life, career. Giampaolo told us that their family had their own vineyard on the top of the mountain, and the hotel made wine with its own grapes. Every Friday he would take guests to the mountain to visit his estate, open a party, every Tuesday the hotel restaurant will have local artists playing mandobell and guitar, every Sunday there will be a dance party. We regret to miss the Tuesday and Friday activities and were lucky to attend the Sunday dance. Giampaolo is the absolute protagonist at the ball. He also takes care of everyone at the ball, whether you are a veteran of the dance or stiff limbs like me, you can dance together. He enjoys it himself and lets everyone enjoy it. As he said, it's not dance skills that matter, it's freedom and joy. We joked that he opened this hotel to let people from all over the world come and play with him.
Giampaolo talks honestly and with a frown. You can see that he not only works in running a hotel, but also as a career and love. He works with staff at the front desk every day, talks to every guest, and organizes group activities three times a week. He is a vivid example of work hard play harder.
Finally he sent us to the port to buy tickets and take the boat to say goodbye to us.
I recommend Naples to everyone, Ischia Island, Giampaolo and his hotel.
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